I actually had felt start to wrinkle and tear after a week of rain and wind last spring, before the shingles went on. It wasn’t catastrophic, but it did mean I had to replace a few sections. I’m in the Midwest, so weather swings are pretty common here. Synthetic probably would’ve held up better in my case, but felt’s still fine if you can get the shingles on quick. Just depends how long it’ll be exposed, honestly.
I’ve had almost the exact same thing happen with felt—
Midwest weather is brutal on anything left exposed, honestly. I used to swear by felt because it’s what everyone used around here for decades, but after a couple of jobs where storms rolled in and the felt just didn’t hold up, I started leaning more toward synthetic.“felt start to wrinkle and tear after a week of rain and wind last spring, before the shingles went on.”
Synthetic’s not perfect (and it costs more), but it really does seem to shrug off rain and wind better if you get stuck waiting for a crew or materials. Last year, my neighbor’s roof sat with synthetic underlayment for almost two weeks—no leaks, no rips, nothing. Meanwhile, I had to patch up my own felt after just a few days of heavy rain.
If you’re sure you can get shingles on right away, felt is fine. But if there’s any chance of delays or wild weather (which is pretty much always here), synthetic just seems less risky. I know some folks think synthetic is overkill, but I’d rather not gamble with Midwest spring storms.
Man, Midwest weather really does have a mean streak. I’ve watched felt go from smooth to looking like a crumpled paper bag in just a couple days. Synthetic’s saved my bacon more than once when jobs got delayed... worth the extra bucks, honestly.
I’ve seen the same thing—felt just doesn’t stand up to those Midwest storms and wild temp swings. I remember one inspection last April, homeowner had a new roof half-done when a cold front rolled in. The wind got under the felt, and by the time I got there, it was bunched up and torn in spots. They had to redo a chunk of it, which nobody was happy about.
Synthetic underlayment’s definitely earned its reputation for durability. I’ve walked roofs where the shingles were delayed by a week and the synthetic still looked tight and clean, even after rain and a few gusty days. The stuff just doesn’t wrinkle or fall apart like felt does when it gets wet or sits in the sun for too long. Plus, it’s lighter to haul up a ladder, which is a bonus for crews.
That said, I still run into folks who stick with felt because it’s what they know or it’s cheaper up front. For short-term coverage or quick jobs in mild weather, it can work out fine. But if there’s any chance of delays—or if you’re dealing with unpredictable weather—synthetic is a lot less risky. I’ve seen jobs where using felt led to leaks before the shingles even went on, especially if there was a surprise storm.
One thing that surprised me: some synthetics can be pretty slippery when wet. Had a contractor nearly take a spill during an inspection last summer, so that’s something to watch for if you’re up there yourself.
All in all, I lean toward synthetic now, especially with how unpredictable Midwest weather can get. It costs more up front but seems to save headaches down the line—at least from what I’ve seen crawling around on all these roofs over the years.
The wind got under the felt, and by the time I got there, it was bunched up and torn in spots.
That’s exactly what I’ve seen too—felt just doesn’t handle those sudden weather shifts. I’m curious, has anyone tried one of the newer “walkable” synthetics? I’ve heard they’re supposed to be less slick when wet, but haven’t had a chance to see for myself. Wondering if they’re worth the extra cost or just marketing hype.
